Where I’m From
I am from a family,
From loud and crazy gatherings.
I am from Arabi,
A bike ride around the corner from fifty-cent freezies.
I am from a wooden swing under the breezeway,
Whose swings would easily put me to sleep.
I’m from cornbread and coffee,
From homemade tamales and gumbo.
I’m from two-minute back-scratches,
And from ten-minute rosaries.
I’m from Christmas games,
And from Thanksgiving feasts.
I’m from a Mawsie and a Pawsie,
From eighteen cousins,
From eleven second cousins.
I’m from two brothers, two parents, and two homes,
From Perrin Street, and from Carolyn Court.
I’m from homemade pralines,
From late night brownies.
I’m from St. Robert, Glenbrook, Rummel T, and Mount Carmel.
I’m from an old swing set and a red tricycle,
From training wheels and roller-skates.
I’m from Ms. Suzy next door and Mrs. Angi across the street,
From the alley way three doors down.
I’m from family reunions,
From the first Sunday of October.
I’m from Gatlinburg vacations,
From mountains that were taller than the sky and steeper then the Grand Canyon.
I’m from “We’re in the hands of Jesus!” and “The eagle has landed!”
I’m from memories and pictures,
And from a life full of experiences.